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03/29/2016: Representatives and senators in Frankfort and the District of Columbia continue to act in the name of so-called “religious freedom” and wasting tax dollars. When is the last time you heard of members of a religious belief they could not assemble? How about a church being closed by the state? Our representatives and senators are twisting religion to further their own political agenda with yet another “religious freedom bill”. The constitution of this Commonwealth guarantees religious freedom, but not a license to discriminate.

But if we are to bring religion into this argument, ask yourself who did Jesus run to? The minority the state or majority persecuted or left behind.

One of the amendments to Kentucky Senate Bill 180 is the right to refuse service if you being democrat or republican violate their religious beliefs. Maybe this is for the best? Without large political parties, no one would tell our elected officials how to vote or what legislation to file. I have democratic, republican, and third political party views so what does that make me? It makes me an independent person with the ability to make up my own mind.

I will never understand those who oppose equality for all people. No one is taking any civil rights away from the majority; we are simply asking they be extended to the minority. Even so, our entire Union is littered with the chronicle of oppression of minority people.

You cannot be terminated in the Commonwealth for being a smoker, your age, gender, religious beliefs, etc. but you can for being LGBTI. Even after 14 years of activism, I cannot wrap my mind round this. The greatest thing that troubles me still is the amount of time is it takes the several states and the federal state to actually do anything about it. Normally, the courts that have to step in; this however is also the beauty of the “separation of powers” and our three branches of government.

The continued hate crimes and school bullying across the commonwealth against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and intersex community must stop.

When did we as a people stop teaching tolerance and diversity? Tolerance and diversity are what make both Kentucky and our nation great, with the right to pursue happiness under both the Kentucky and U.S. Constitutions for all people.

My community wants exactly what every other citizen wants, equality under law and to love and protect our families.

My community does not seek the approval of hate groups or intolerant people, only their acknowledgement that we have the same right to the pursuit of happiness as they do.
When moving forward, some people have historically fought against change and equality yelling "traditional values," the age-old cry of the oppressor.

But there was a time when only people of a certain sex and race could own land, women could not vote and interracial marriage was illegal. But we progressed in the name of equality for all.

Though hate groups and intolerant people may continue to test our resolve, in the end we shall prevail.

01/14/2011: The time has come for Kentucky to pass a law to prohibit terminations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. You can be fired for being gay, but you cannot be fired for being a smoker. What kind of logic is that?

In 1966, Kentucky became the first state in the South to pass a Civil Rights Act. The commonwealth also became the first in the South to establish enforcement powers over civil rights violations on a state level.

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights became the state enforcement authority of the act.

What happened to us? At what point did our great commonwealth lose its leadership in the area of civil rights? When did we decide to surrender our freedoms and civil rights? For our economy and population to improve, we need to lead again, not only in the area of civil rights but in others as well.

The time has come for Kentucky to pass a law to prohibit terminations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. You can be fired for being gay, but you cannot be fired for being a smoker. What kind of logic is that?

In 1966, Kentucky became the first state in the South to pass a civil rights act. The commonwealth also became the first in the south to establish enforcement powers over civil rights violations on a state level. The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights became the state enforcement authority of the act.

What happened to us? At what point did our great commonwealth lose its leadership in the area of civil rights? When did we decide to surrender our freedoms and civil rights?

For our economy and population to improve, we need to lead again — not only in the area of civil rights, but others as well.

Federation Press Office

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About the Equality Center:

Every day, LGBTI people are denied many of the freedoms enjoyed by other Kentuckians. We are committed to secure full equality for the LGBTI community of the Commonwealth. Your support is critical to our success. Please fund our efforts to end discrimination in Kentucky.

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